Legal Advisor - Mining and Resources

Placements24; Vrystaat; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Professional development allowances

Remote work flexibility

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Legal Advisor for a pivotal role in the mining and resources sector, based at the operational base or remotely serving Upington, Northern Cape. You will advise on mining rights, environmental compliance, corporate transactions and community relations to keep operations legally sound and sustainable.

The role demands strong SA mining law knowledge, risk management, and cross-border stakeholder engagement across time zones.

Qualifications

• Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa with a minimum of 6 years of relevant experience, preferably in mining and resources law.
• Proven expertise in South African mining law (MPRDA, Mine Health and Safety Act) and environmental law.
• Strong understanding of corporate law and commercial transactions within the mining sector.
• Experience drafting and negotiating complex agreements relevant to the mining industry.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and risk management skills.
• Strong negotiation and communication abilities, with the capacity to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently and manage a challenging workload, potentially across different time zones.
• Experience in community relations or social responsibility legal aspects is a plus.
• Commitment to upholding the highest ethical and professional standards.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert legal counsel on mining rights, permits, and licenses.
• Advise on environmental compliance, impact assessments, and remediation obligations.
• Draft, review, and negotiate mining-related agreements, including joint ventures, farm-in/farm-out agreements, and land access agreements.
• Support corporate transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, and disposals of mining assets.
• Ensure compliance with the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) and other relevant legislation.
• Advise on community engagement and social license to operate matters.
• Manage and resolve legal disputes and litigation related to mining operations.
• Liaise with government departments (e.g., Department of Mineral Resources and Energy) and other stakeholders.
• Conduct legal due diligence for new projects and acquisitions.

Skills

Negotiation

Communication

Risk management

Analytical thinking

Education

Admitted Attorney - High Court of South Africa

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a significant player in the mining and resources sector, is seeking an experienced Legal Advisor to provide comprehensive legal support from their operational base or remotely serving the Upington, Northern Cape region. This vital role will focus on advising on all legal aspects related to exploration, mining operations, environmental compliance, community relations, and corporate transactions within the sector. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of mining law, environmental regulations, and South African corporate law, coupled with strong commercial acumen. You will work closely with senior management and operational teams to navigate complex legal challenges and ensure the company's operations are conducted in a legally sound and sustainable manner. This position offers the opportunity to engage with high-stakes projects in a key resource-rich area.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide expert legal counsel on mining rights, permits, and licenses.
• Advise on environmental compliance, impact assessments, and remediation obligations.
• Draft, review, and negotiate mining-related agreements, including joint ventures, farm-in/farm-out agreements, and land access agreements.
• Support corporate transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, and disposals of mining assets.
• Ensure compliance with the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) and other relevant legislation.
• Advise on community engagement and social license to operate matters.
• Manage and resolve legal disputes and litigation related to mining operations.
• Liaise with government departments (e.g., Department of Mineral Resources and Energy) and other stakeholders.
• Conduct legal due diligence for new projects and acquisitions.

Requirements

• Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa with a minimum of 6 years of relevant experience, preferably in mining and resources law.
• Proven expertise in South African mining law (MPRDA, Mine Health and Safety Act) and environmental law.
• Strong understanding of corporate law and commercial transactions within the mining sector.
• Experience in drafting and negotiating complex agreements relevant to the mining industry.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and risk management skills.
• Strong negotiation and communication abilities, with the capacity to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently and manage a challenging workload, potentially across different time zones.
• Experience in community relations or social responsibility legal aspects is a plus.
• Commitment to upholding the highest ethical and professional standards.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary package, commensurate with experience, and includes performance-based incentives. Comprehensive benefits include a leading medical aid scheme, a robust retirement fund, and allowances for professional development. The role provides significant exposure to the intricacies of the mining and resources sector, offering substantial career growth potential. We embrace a flexible work approach, allowing for remote contributions, while maintaining a strong connection to operations supporting the Upington, Northern Cape region. Join a leading company committed to responsible resource development.